Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The Lure of the Park Ranger

Despite the fact that I am on my fourth career right now, in my mind I've always thought that when I grow up I could make a really great National Park Service park ranger. In my youth, I always subscribed loyally to Ranger Rick magazine. Every month as a kid I was so excited to get my edition full of nature and animals. I love to hike (okay, so long as Mr. We're On An Agenda and MUST COVER x number Miles today isn't being too pushy). Mostly, though, I love the idea of the unexplored lands, particularly those out in the western U.S.

The reason I'm bringing this up now is because I'm reading a most excellent book on the subject. Called The Last Season, by Eric Blehm, it's about a National Park Service ranger (Randy Morgenson) who was a legend in his own right. Known for finding lost hikers in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, one day he goes missing himself. True story. Available on Amazon right now for the bargain price of $5.85.

I'm only about 70 pages in, but loving it. And totally missing the explorations Paul and I used to take into the National Parks. I'm so thankful we got the chance to do so many fun trips pre-kids.

Here's a few pics from our own trip to Sequoia:

This is from the hike up Moro rock. A tourist attraction to be sure, but we had to do it anyhow :-)

This one is from inside the hollow of a redwood.

Tharpe's cabin, built on the edge of a hollow redwood. Totally charming.

And we saw a bear! Definitely a highlight of the trip.

Me, hiking under the redwoods.

Fun trip, but by far, my favorite of the National Parks we've hit so far is Zion.

I'll have to save that for another day.

For now, I will return to The Last Season. This book is just the right mix of nature, mystery, and research information. I have a feeling, though, that things aren't going to turn out so well for Randy :-(.

I think it would be so much fun being a park ranger! I'd love being a ranger out at the Grand Canyon, or Zion, or some other southwestern-type area. I guess you and I have something in common, enjoying the west.

Of course, I also love Minute Man National Park or Acadia National park.

It is never to late to work in our National Parks as either a seasonal park ranger or volunteer. During my time as a National Park Ranger I hired and worked with many people on their second to fourth career. You can learn more about being a park ranger in my book, "A Park Ranger's Life; Thirty Two Years Protecting Our National Parks." You can also learn more at my blog www.aparkrangerslife.blogspot.com.